Sometimes to move forward, you must first take a step back.
I grew up dreaming of becoming a Hollywood-director-type: writing motivational characters, composing stunning shots, and telling stories that sparked wonder. With a BA in Film Studies from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, it seemed fitting—but eventually it felt “meh.” I yearned for something more scientific, more aesthetic, more capable of moving people.
I stepped back, examined my values—and it hit me. I’d always loved sneakers (even in Catholic grade school uniforms, the one place creativity could shine was in the shoes). In college I finally articulated that my true passion was design. When I discovered Virgil Abloh’s collaboration with Nike (“The Ten”), I rediscovered a sense of play and creativity in an industry built on innovation.
Footwear became the perfect medium. I realized that to climb a mountain and reach the view at the peak, you first need the right gear. If we want to achieve our dreams, we must equip ourselves with the correct disciplines and a strong foundation.
Since then, I haven’t stopped designing footwear. It calls to me—human-centric design, the sweet science of intricate detail, the craft of telling visual stories through color, material, collaboration. Footwear also propels the wearer forward, literally and mentally: your feet are your foundation. Everyone wants to feel inspired as they take their next step, and I believe my pursuit in footwear design helps others rediscover their sense of wonder and purpose.
My specialties include CMF design, tech-packs, sketching, rendering, trend research—and I’m proficient in Adobe Illustrator, Rhino 3D, and Procreate. I served as a Footwear Design Intern on the Team Sports category at Under Armour, and most recently, during my time at the University of Oregon (MS in Sports Product Design) I led the design of “elevé,” a ballet-training shoe that earned me the Emerging Designer of the Year award at the Global Footwear Awards 2024. Global Footwear Design Award 2025
These recognitions include:
Emerging Footwear Designer of the Year – Global Footwear Awards 2024 Global Footwear Design Award 2025
Emerging Sport Apparel Designer of the Year – FIT Design Awards 2025
Best Overall Winner – Global Footwear Awards 2024
Now I am driven by one mission: to create products that help others own their stories and embrace the struggle of hard work and sacrifice—one step at a time.